New Zealand post their 10th lowest T20I score:South Africa claim victory after bundling Kiwis for 91, lead five-match series 1-0

In the first T20 match against South Africa, the New Zealand team was all out for just 91 runs. This is the team’s 10th-lowest score in T20Is. However, South Africa chased down the target in 16.4 overs with Connor Esterhuizen’s 45-run knock. New Zealand decided to bat first after winning the toss at the Bay Oval Stadium in Mount Maunganui, but the host team had a very poor start. Five of their wickets fell within the powerplay. After this, the New Zealand team, which was a finalist in the T20 World Cup 2026, was all out for 91 runs in 14.3 overs on their home ground. New Zealand puts up poor batting performance In this match, James Neesham scored the most runs for New Zealand, making 26 runs off 21 balls. Apart from him, captain Mitchell Santner scored 15 runs off 19 balls, Cole McConchie scored 15 runs off 11 balls, and Bevan Jacobs played an innings of 10 runs off 7 balls. However, seven of the team’s batsmen could not even reach double digits. The biggest partnership for New Zealand was for the 7th wicket, when Neesham and McConchie added 26 runs in 17 balls. Debutant Mokoena grabs 3 wickets Nqobani Mokoena, making his debut for South Africa, took the most wickets with 3 for 26 runs in 3.3 overs. Gerald Coetzee and Ottneil Baartman also took 2 wickets each in 3 overs. Spinner Keshav Maharaj also bowled economically, taking 2 wickets for 25 runs in 4 overs. Additionally, Dian Forrester gave away only 4 runs in 1 over, although he did not get any wickets. Connor Esterhuizen plays a winning knock for the Kiwis South Africa also faced troubles as Tony de Zorzi got out early for 2(8). Rubin Hermann (7) and Jason Smith (10) also could not contribute much. It was wicketkeeper Connor Esterhuizen, who led SA to attain the target with his 45 off 48 balls. Dian Forrester then finished the chase alongside Connor with his unbeaten 16 off 25 balls. Playing-XI of both teams New Zealand: Devon Conway, Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Tim Robinson, Nick Kelly, Bevan Jacobs, James Neesham, Cole McConchie, Mitchell Santner (captain), Kyle Jamieson, Zakary Foulkes, Ben Sears. South Africa: Connor Esterhuizen (wicketkeeper), Jordan Hermann, Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann, Jason Smith, Dian Forester, George Linde, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj (captain), Nkobani Mokoena, Ottniel Baartman.